J.D. Shaw

J.D. Shaw, Carolina Band staff arranger, is associate professor of horn at University of South Carolina and was formerly the French hornist with the internationally acclaimed Boston Brass where he was creative director, music arranger and co-owner of the ensemble. J.D. is an active solo artist and travels extensively throughout the United States and many countries in North America, Europe and Asia. In addition, J.D. has also been a featured performer on National Public Radio's Performance Today and the CBS Morning Show. J.D. received his Masters of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where he was awarded the performer's certificate under the tutelage of horn pedagogue Verne Reynolds. Hailing from Hutchinson, Kansas, he earned his degree of Bachelors of Music at the Wichita State University studying with Dr. Nicholas E. Smith. Prior to his position at University of South Carolina, Professor Shaw has held teaching posts at Boston College, University of New Mexico and University of Miami. As an active performer and prolific arranger, J.D. has recorded over 15 albums encompassing diverse musical styles from the Classical, Jazz, and Latin genres. As a prolific arranger, Professor Shaw writes music for many orchestras, bands, and chamber ensembles. His arrangements are featured with several publishers and can be heard on many recording labels and performance stages across the world. Currently, he is the music arranger for the world champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps.

Bennett Donovan

Bennett Donovan is a senior music education major also pursuing a tuba performance certificate. He is from Fort Mill, South Carolina and attended Nation Ford High School. This is his fourth year in Carolina Band and he is excited to take on the new role of senior staff. Outside of marching band, Bennett plays bass guitar for the basketball band and also sings and plays banjo in a folk rock duo with his twin brother, Aidan, called “The Donovan Twins”. Other hobbies Bennett enjoys are mountain biking, playing disc golf, watching NASCAR races, and cheering on the Gamecocks. 

Blake Fowler

Blake Fowler is pursuing a M.M. in Band Conducting at the University of South Carolina, where he serves as a graduate assistant. Prior to starting at USC, Blake was the Director of Bands at Chapin High School, and was responsible for conducting the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensemble; as well as directing the "Pride of the Midlands" Marching Band and the Chapin High School Jazz Band. Prior to his appointment at CHS, he was the associate band director at North Augusta High School. Under Blake’s direction, the Chapin High School Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the 2022 South Carolina Music Educators Association and the 2022 Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival as a featured performing ensemble. Bands under Blake’s direction consistently scored Superior ratings at festival events, and received accolades for diverse and exciting programming. In 2022 the “Pride of the Midlands” Marching Band was crowned the 4A SCBDA Lower State Champion. In 2021 the CHS Symphonic Band gave the world premiere of “Dream” by Kyle W. Brown. Blake views student leadership as a cornerstone of the modern day band program and teaches students to become servant-based leaders. Blake graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Music Education and a Performance Certificate in 2015. He is currently on the board of the Palmetto Concert Band and is a performing member/guest conductor of the Carolina Wind Symphony. With a firm belief that continuing education is the cornerstone of being a fresh and exciting conductor, Blake has attended many band directing and conducting symposia throughout the Nation. His professional affiliations include the SCMEA, SCBDA, and the National Band Association. Outside of teaching Blake enjoys cooking, video games, reading, spending time with his partner Aaron, and his dog Bela “Bark”tok. 

Kenneth Green

Kenneth Green is a graduate assistant with the University of South Carolina Bands.  He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting, studying with Dr. Cormac Cannon.  A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Mr. Green received his Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and his Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University.  Prior to coming to the University of South Carolina, he was an Assistant Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands at Allen University.  While on faculty, he received the university’s Professor of the Year award and the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Excellence in Teaching Award. Mr. Green is a member of the National Association for Music Education, South Carolina Band Directors Association, International Trumpet Guild, and the Society for Music Theory. 

Chase Miller

Chase Miller is an upcoming senior at the University of South Carolina, pursuing a degree in Music Education. Chase's main instrument has been the clarinet from his time in middle school, but, thanks to the University of South Carolina, as acquired a taste for singing, the French horn, and the trumpet! Chase has participated in many available ensembles at the University of South Carolina, including  Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, University Band, Basketball Band, and, of course, the Carolina Band! He is hoping to become involved with one of the jazz ensembles for his senior year. Chase is also a proud member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity for college members. With his time in the fraternity, Chase has served as the Acting Secretary from Fall of 2021 to the present time, and has eagerly offered his services as a Brother for any music-related service event. Besides being a MUED major, Chase has many other interests and hobbies. If anything related to Disney, Hamilton, or U.S. History is brought up in conversation, Chase will be sure to passionately engage in that conversation! Above all, Chase loves to serve the band program for the purpose of music, and is always happy to offer help to anyone who needs it! He looks forward to serving the 103rd edition of the Carolina Band!

Ben Pouncey

Benjamin Pouncey, a native of Columbia, South Carolina, is a graduate assistant pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Pouncey received the Master of Music degree in wind conducting from Colorado State University, and earned the Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of South Carolina. While attending Colorado State, Mr. Pouncey received the 2023 School of Music, Theatre, and Dance Faculty Award for Outstanding Graduate Student (Music) and was recognized as the Performing Arts Top Scholar (Undergraduate Choice) at the 2022 Colorado State Graduate Showcase. Mr. Pouncey was selected to participate in the 2022 National Band Association Young Composer and Conductor Mentor Project, during which he rehearsed and conducted the United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.) in a world premiere of composer Trevor Smith’s Palette and Spectrum. Mr. Pouncey served as Director of Bands at Ashley Ridge High School (Summerville, SC) from 2018 to 2021, where he directed all aspects of a comprehensive high school band program. Prior to Ashley Ridge, Mr. Pouncey was co-Director of Bands at DuBose Middle School (Summerville, SC) from 2013 to 2018. During this time, the DuBose Symphonic Band was a featured ensemble at the 2018 South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference. An alumnus of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Mr. Pouncey was a member of the trumpet section in 2007 and 2008 and served as the corps’ drum major from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Pouncey was the World Class recipient of the 2011 Drum Corps International (DCI) Jim Jones Leadership Award, and has been an instructor for the University of South Carolina Drum Major Clinic, the Music for All Drum Major Institute, the Western Carolina University Summer Symposium, and the DCI Drum Major Leadership Seminar. Mr. Pouncey has been published in the National Band Association Journal and holds membership in the College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity (alumnus), the National Band Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda.

Cody Ray

Cody Ray is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting at the University of South Carolina where he studies with Dr. Cormac Cannon and serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the USC Bands. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (‘18) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL under the mentorship of Dr. Sue Samuels, Dr. Gene Fambrough, Dr. Cara Morantz, and Dr. Sean Murray. Prior to graduate study, Cody served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Cairo High School in Cairo, GA from 2020-2022. Before coming to Cairo, he also served as Director of Bands at Sipsey Valley High/Middle School from 2019-2020 and Director of Bands at Sulligent High School from 2018-2019. During his time at UAB, he maintained an active performing career by performing with the UAB Wind Symphony, UAB Percussion Ensemble, the Sound of the Magic City, UAB Steel Band, and the UAB Pep Band. Cody has had the privilege to perform alongside the likes of Mark Ford, Michael Burritt, Andy Harnsberger, and the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus. He also served as a student technician with the marching band and taught the UAB Drumline in 2017. Cody marched with Music City Drum and Bugle Corps in 2012, Double Stop Indoor Percussion in 2013, and served as a tenor technician in the 2017 Summer DCI Tour with Music City Drum and Bugle Corps. During his professional career, he has emphasized his growth as a musician and conductor through active participation in conducting workshops and private lessons. Through these experiences, Cody has studied with Dr. Jamie Nix, Dr. Kevin Sedatole, Professor Michael Haithcock, Dr. Damon Talley, Professor Craig Kirchhoff, Dr. Scott Boerma, Professor Jerry Junkin, Dr. Alexander Jiménez and Col. Thomas Palmatier. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association. He is also married to his best friend, Kelli, and together they have a dog named Aria.

Jensen Thomassie

Jensen L. Thomassie is a percussionist, composer, and educator currently based in Columbia, South Carolina. Thomassie is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of South Carolina under the study of Scott Herring where he also serves as the Carolina Band Drumline Graduate Assistant. Thomassie holds a Bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance and Music Composition from Furman University where he studied percussion under Omar Carmenates and Justin Watt and composition under Mark Kilstofte, Peter B. Kay, and Jay Bocook. As a composer, Thomassie’s catalog includes over 30 works for percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, clarinet quartet, brass quintet, voice, string quartet, electronics, and more. His music has been performed across the United States, as well as in Argentina, Brazil, and South Korea, and he is regularly commissioned by artists and ensembles including What Is Noise new music ensemble. As a performer, Thomassie has performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention twice with the Furman University Percussion Ensemble, first in the new music research session in 2019, as well as performing as one of the winners of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition in 2022. Thomassie regularly performs as a section percussionist with the Poinsett Wind Symphony. An active member of the pageantry arts, Thomassie has marched with Music City Drum Corps, the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, the Furman University Paladin Regiment, and the New Orleans Saints Drumline, where he also served as a music writer and arranger. Thomassie has previously served as Director of Percussion at J.L. Mann High School, where he won a state championship in CWEA Percussion Scholastic Novice with the J.L. Mann Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Thomassie also freelances as a percussion arranger and sound designer for multiple programs in Upstate South Carolina, including J.L. Mann High School, Greer High School, and Hillcrest High School.

Nancy Uriegas

Nancy Uriegas is a Doctoral Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer pursuing a PhD in Exercise Science. She begins her second year caring for the Carolina Band, this season in the capacity of game day athletic trainer assisting the head athletic trainer and as a marching band healthcare researcher. Nancy completed her master’s degree in Advanced Athletic Training in May 2019 at the University of South Carolina and is a 2015 graduate of the University of Texas, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. Nancy has been a certified athletic trainer for four years with experience in the performing arts, secondary schools in SC and TX and currently serving as the athletic trainer for USC ROTC program. Her research focus is in Feeding and Eating Disorders, Energy Availability, and best healthcare practices in the performing arts. Nancy is passionate about her profession and providing medical coverage in the emerging settings to help her patients reach their potential; her goal is to become a researcher and professor in a collegiate athletic training program.

Kirk Randazzo

Kirk Randazzo, “The Voice of the Carolina Band,” is a highly sought-after speaker and scholar, both internationally and across the United States. As a respected political scientist, he teaches and conducts research on constitutional law and judicial politics, the rule of law in emerging democracies, and judicial independence. Dr. Randazzo is the director of the Carolina Leadership Initiative, which seeks to promote, encourage, and facilitate leadership and its development across the University of South Carolina. As a public speaker, his presentations focus on developing fundamental leadership skills and strategies for successful conflict management, team motivation and public speaking. He received a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of South Carolina in 1994 and his Ph.D. in political science from Michigan State University in 2003. From 2003–2008 he taught at the University of Kentucky and in 2008 returned to his alma mater as a professor of political science at the University of South Carolina. He serves on various boards including the USC Alumni Band and the Friends of the USC School of Music.

Randy Herald

Randy Herald, Carolina Band videographer, marched in the Carolina Band from 1970–72, and in 1973 he began videotaping the band performances. Randy graduated from USC with a B.A. in broadcast journalism and a master of media arts degree. He worked in various roles during his career at Carolina including television producer, production manager, university broadcast coordinator, media arts instructor and was USC’s first athletic video coordinator. He retired from USC in 2002 and started a new career as visual information manager at Fort Gordon. He retired again in 2011 and now serves on several nonprofit boards as well as playing in the Savannah River Winds and the Camden Community Concert Band.

Gordon Humphries

Gordon Humphries joined the Carolina Band staff in 2015 as the band photographer. Gordon is a Columbia native and an adjunct instructor of photography in the School of Visual Art and Design at USC.